Private In the Air

[Xian Xiao]

It felt nice to have the wind on her face again. Xian had been very reclusive lately as she adjusted to her new life on Bastion. True to his word, Rellik was allowing her to live there rent-free, and now she decided to go outside and practice her Bending abilities more.

She excelled at using air and wind, with a close second of fire. However, water was her weakest, and she carried a bucket of it to a practice ground. After placing the bucket down, she made sure the area was dirt, taking her shoes off. Picking it up again, she walked to the middle. Setting the water down, she stretched a little and wiggled her toes in the cool dirt.

Breathing in and out several times, she finally felt centered enough to try working with the liquid mass. Pulling it up out of the bucket wasn't proving too difficult, and she started to move it above her head, across the small arena, and outside of it. At that point, a gnat flew up her nose, and she lost all focus on that ball of water. It fell out of the air onto the person under it while she focused on trying to blow the gnat out.

Diarch Rellik

 

[Diarch Rellik]

Within the tower of the Crucible held one of the only known homes of Rellik. His personal chambers that were adorned with his trophies, trinkets, and memories. It was great for times of reflection where he could fully meditate knowing no one would come to disturb him. It was here he sat upon a ceremonial rug and listened to a holocron left from his father - Kakus

It was here I found the best use of the small gardens I had upon Taris. Although staff could maintain them, it eased my mind to grow them myself. Originally I wanted to fill them with exotic things that could help in potions but as time went on I changed them out to simply be beautiful flowers. The smell and sight of them calming me through my days.

The thought warmed Relliks heart. Such a hard and determined man finding peace in the small moments of the world. - It was with this thought Rellik moved to the window to look down upon the open courtyard of the Crucible.

There he saw Xian practicing. Her abilities and techniques were so unique, it was clear his intuitions were correct about how special she truly was. Watching her move something so powerful yet flowing as water from a bucket, around her head, than around the arena and beyond. Water in any form - within a river or as rain - was so peaceful.

Until it is dropped upon your head. With a small giggle he watched as a passerby had been accidentally dunked. It wasn't until the now drenched participant started to scold Xian that Relliks smile faded. With that action - he opened his window and floated down with the aid of his Blooded Seer Cloak. Another gift from his Father similar to the lessons left behind with the holocrons.

It was with a surprise that the Diarch gently landed on the courtyard. The scolding Xian was receiving slowly turned to silence at his walk over. His smile and lordly presence both emanating between the three of them.

"Are we both okay?"

Relliks cloak lifted itself off of his shoulders and went to dry up the other student. Its natural abilities helping clean them off quickly.

"No harm no foul right? Now please continue upon your day."

Moving to the edge of the arena, he would take off his shoes and come to sit legs crossed in front of where Xian was practicing before.

"You have some incredible abilities. Do you mind if I meditate here while you train?"

Tags: Xian Xiao

 

[Xian Xiao]

The teen eventually got the offending gnat out of her nose just as the person she accidentally drenched came around the corner and into the arena. With one final sneeze, she was just about to launch a fireball at the wet student when Rellik arrived from above. Pulling her hands behind her back, she looked at the ground and then met the student's eyes. She almost apologized, but Rellik shuffled away the other person.

"Thank you."

Blinking in surprise, Xian didn't say no and watched as he sat down on the ground in front of her.

"No problem. I need to get another bucket of water."

Picking up the empty container, she returned after a few minutes and resumed her practice.

"Thank you for the compliment. Working with water is challenging for me. Earth is as well, but I'm a little stronger with that. Watch."

If he were paying attention after she interrupted his meditation, he would notice the dirt around him was slowly sinking. She didn't let it go too far down, and unless he moved, he would be sitting in a round crater he could easily step out of. It wasn't much, but it was clearly a strain on Xian.

"I'm strongest with air and fire. Both are so destructive, and one of them is invisible."

Placing a barrier of wind in front of Rellik, she stirred up some of the loose dirt and flung it in his direction with some additional air pressure. At the tail end of the pseudo-attack, a fireball landed against the barrier that was in front of him.

"Air can also be quite soothing, and the warmth of the fire comforting."

Diarch Rellik

 

[Diarch Rellik]

As Xian walked to get another bucket of water, Rellik couldn't help but wonder. Presumably a large body of water - he would be able to manipulate with the force and push or pull it. Although, he had never actually tried. Let alone making a small bucket full dance around for him. Was she wrapping it in a bubble with the force, could it be pierced by an blaster bolt and pop or would it fade right through.

"Incredible" He spoke softly.

stronger with earth?

When she told him to watch he focused less on his meditation and more on her. Giving her the time of day and respect along with feeding his curiosity.

As he began to sink down he tried reaching out into the force to see exactly how it was being done. Instead of finding some kind of cylinder of force pressure cutting and pushing the rock around him - he could only feel it in Xian and in the earth. It was not merely molding it with the force. She was connected to the ground itself. - at least as far as he could tell.

Looking up he saw the strain on her face. He almost stood up to ensure Xian didn't topple over. Although they hadn't known each other long, he cared for her and told her he would take care of her here.

Air and fire?

With a rather shocked look on his face he felt the strong breeze before his face. Only heightened by the small stones thrown against it. Lastly a blaze of fire. All of which was impressive.

"I have to say - I am very impressed. Thank you for the demonstration Xian, Nature in itself is beautiful. Only more so under your command. I was only a little afraid of burning off the last bit of hair I have left."

He let out a little laugh with a big smile while rubbing the back of his head. It was an obvious joke to hopefully make her giggle.

"I am curious about testing out some applications of these abilties sometime. Yet I dont mean to poke and prod you. If it's to sensitive of a question we can move forward but did you learn these skills naturally, to protect yourself, or for war?

Tags: Xian Xiao

 

[Xian Xiao]

Her recovery was speedy, and even after her air and fire display, Xian was attentive to Rellik. Giving him a proud bow, she smiled as she listened to his statement and question. Rubbing her toes in the dirt, she looked at them for a moment before sitting down across from him.

Leaving the water in the bucket, it would be there later for her to exercise with. She did smile a little at his joke, but didn't quite laugh or giggle.

"I taught myself to help me survive on the streets. A woman rescued me when I a toddler from my burning house on Castell and took me to an orphange on Coruscant. Evidently, she had grown up there and felt it would be a good home for me.

"Nature is beautiful if you have the option to view it. You don't get that on Coruscant. That might be why water and earth are hard for me to work with."

Shrugging slightly, she was quiet as she considered what else to say.

"Air and fire are everywhere, and both can be useful in war. I've had to use them both."

Leaning back, she rested on her hands as she looked up at the sky above them.

"What is it like to have a family? The other kids never treated me like a sister."

Diarch Rellik

 

[Diarch Rellik]

Rellik watched her with a quiet stillness, his hands resting loosely on his knees. The wind had calmed, but the air still held the warmth of fire and the raw scent of disturbed earth. She was impressive. Fierce. Noting how much effort she exuded, he held pride in how quickly she adjusted; giving a proud bow and answering him. - The only reason he did not compliment on it, is that he didn't want to flood her with praise.

He tilted his head, eyes thoughtful. Despite the words that followed at first, everything he said seemed soft and happy.

"What is it like to have a family? Sometimes complicated, all the time worth giving a chance. I grew up on Taris. In a similar way I didn't see much nature outside of the garden of planted trees in my father's home. Either that, or when I would sneak down to the lower levels... the punishment was rarely worth leaving though."

He looked up at the sky with Xian. Softly playing with some soil she roughed up in his hand. It's cool touch warming his heart.

"My father Kakus raised me like an apprentice, not a son. Discipline before kindness. Ritual before rest. I was made to be a weapon, not a child. Yet, I always had my brother. He would always tell us it was him and I against the world. That if I lost Reign I wouldn't ever have anyone like him again. It worked really well to be honest."

Rellik looked down at Xian and moved part of his tunic to show his shoulder. Deep burn marked skin rippled across part of his pec, shoulder, and slightly down his arm. He wasn't concerned how deeply she looked.

"He scorched me with controlled lightning one time I left Reign to fight some gangers on the lower levels alone. It was my fault for stealing some of their bikes and he got mad at me so I left him. I won't ever leave him to fight alone again. The guilt hurts more than the scar now."

He gently moved his robe back into place before playing with the soul again.

"It was not until I was around 18 that my father changed. At first I thought he had just become soft honestly. After a while I realized it was regret. He tried to change. Taught us to treat people with dignity. Find beauty in all things, love unselfish and uplift others. To lead with respect. We had five years of being a normal family and then he was gone. Just like that. We have no idea where he is now. - I know this much. Everyone in this galaxy fails sometimes, rises above in others. Family is not being perfect. It is about trying to love."

He looked out at the city of Ravelin.

"Those final years with my father left a large impact on my brother and I. We probably became love drunk on the contrast to our early years. Yet, it gave us all of this. Everyone here is my family. I wake up everyday for them. I think about how they are feeling. Can i help them, do they need a father who will humble himself before them while also having the strength to guide them. I cant gurantee everyday life will be good for them but I know, I wont ever have anything like them again if I abandon them. I am sorry you even had to protect yourself but I am happy you found your strength. You remind me of myself a lot. Whatever you feel - Sister, Daughter, friend. You are family to me. Blood or not. That was my promise when I asked you to come here. I am excited to watch you rise and will be there to help catch you if you fail."

He smiled softly, gold eyes filled with sprinkled gold flecks as if they were a snow globe. Happy

Xian Xiao

 

[Xian Xiao]

Neither one of them had an ideal childhood, but both had lived through tough times. She had done it alone, and he had his brother. Even if the conversation was dark, there was some light in it, and Xian clung to that. Looking again at Rellik as he spoke, she was silent until he finished.

Her mouth was closed, and her dark eyes were softer than they had been for quite a long time. She knew he wasn't searching for sympathy, and she wasn't offering that. Their eyes met for a moment as he pulled the shoulder of his tunic down to show her a horrific scar.

"Were you the spare?"

Scars don't usually hurt after they are healed, but they are always present as a reminder. Meeting his gaze when he was done looking across the city, she gave him a tiny smile. To hear him call her family meant a great deal to the teen, and she wasn't going to forget it.

"Isn't falling a part of growing up?"

Lessons needed to be taught and learned. There were many different methods, and it was clear the Diarchs had learned the hard way.

"How do I remind you of yourself?"

Diarch Rellik

 

[Diarch Rellik]

There was something akin to relief when Rellik spoke of his upbringing. It made it all real, all okay.

"Were you the spare?"

He chuckled softly, if not innocently.

"It is always hard to say. Reign dealt with his own problems as well. Yet, I think it was the silent nights Kakus and I spent in the dark talking of philosophy, history, and more that changed him."

She was smarter than her years gave credit. With pride at her next remarks he replied.

"Indeed it is. Know that if anything comes between us, if you ever need me. I would not hesitate to come to your aid. We are more than a moment of our lives. We are its whole."

There was a softness to her dark eyes. He realized she was empathetic to his story. All the more reason he believed they were similar.

"Life is hard, turbulent and unrelenting. If not to say outright brutal at times. You believed in yourself, made yourself strong, and rose above the first chapter of life with your head held high. In this regard we are similar. Hells, I am no saint, I have killed, even women and children at request of my father at times."

He was quiet for a moment. Regretful and sad. Head slightly bowing down before coming back up again.

"You have not let these moments define you, nor myself. You are Xian, I am Rellik; you are free. In this way you remind me of myself. Our destiny is not at the whims of our parents or friends, blood or not. Our moments of weakness, nor the damned whills of the force themselves can decide for us. It is in our hands. We choose who to be everyday. I chose to be me. You chose to be you and left that diner to come here."

Rellik stood up, out from the hole Xian had made, he reached out a hand to her.

"Come with me, lets walk the city for a moment. Let me show you the fruit of our labor. The peace we have made together."

Although she had only been around for a short amount of time, he wanted to make it clear she was responsible as well for what they had all built together.

Xian Xiao

 

[Xian Xiao]

"My parents died in the fire I was rescued from. I sometimes wonder how different my life would have been. I also want to know how parents can be such jerks and others can be so caring."

Looking at him when she said 'jerks,' it was meant to refer to his father. A thought crossed her mind.

"What about your mother? You've only ever mentioned your father."

She missed this part of life and had never had a real parental figure—nobody to share her problems with or even care for her. The orphanage was just a roof over her head, a bed to sleep in, and a place to eat.

"I didn't have a choice. It was either lie down and give up or get strong. I chose to survive, and eventually, some of the other kids started relying on me. That wasn't my life, though. I don't think I'll ever find love or be a mother. I don't know how."

This was similar to something she said she was much younger. Back then when she thought boys were gross, had cooties and never wanted to kiss one. Now she had met two men, and she was having second thoughts. As she thought of them, her cheeks turned a bit darker, and she didn't try to hide the blush. If what Rellik said was true, then he would accept and maybe understand her feelings.

Watching him as he stood up, she accepted his hand and stood up with him. Giving him a quizzical look, she hadn't been here long enough to have helped with anything.

"I haven't done anything yet."

Diarch Rellik

 

[Diarch Rellik]

He took her hand as she stood, steady and unhurried, then let it fall gently once she was upright. Not out of formality, but respect. Space, after all, was a kind of kindness too. As they began walking through the courtyard arch toward the outer promenade, Rellik slowed his pace so she could match it easily.

Her questions lingered in the air between them.

"My mother…"

He exhaled slowly through his nose, not in annoyance but rather emptying a heavy chest.

"She died giving birth to me. I never had a chance to meet her."

His voice didn't falter. He had told the story before.

"My father spoke of her only in quiet moments. Sometimes I wondered if he was such a jerk because he missed her. I wondered late at night if he resented me for her passing." It was with the last words that his tone became soft for a moment. As if he still wondered to this day.

He offered the faintest smile, tinged with something like grief wrapped in peace. "I like to think she softened him. That he remembered her as we grew older, saw her face in mine as we spoke late at night and it helped make him the man he was in the end."

Her next words about love, about being a mother, about not knowing how drew a glance from him. "You don't need to know how," he said gently. "No one does. Not at first. You learn love the same way you learned survival by trying. By failing. By trying again." He saw her feint blush after the words. Not directed at him but at the idea she proposed. "I hope and will fight for the best for you Xian. A loving home, a spouse who adores you and a family. So it be your wish."

He let his gaze drift out across the cityscape, towards the towers, the open causeways, the evening lights of Ravelin glowing like constellations mirrored in stone. When she said she hadn't done anything, he stopped. Turned to face her.

"That's where you're wrong." He gestured around them.

"You're here. You're trying. And that, Xian, is more than most ever do. You are home, as long as you want it to be your home."

Then he turned and continued walking, this time with the hint of a proud smile playing at the corners of his mouth the kind of smile a father gives a daughter without needing her to see it.

Xian Xiao

 

[Xian Xiao]

For a few seconds, Xian wondered if she had asked something wrong. Rellik had never gotten mad or even irritated at her, but there was always the first time. She wasn't very empathic yet, but she was learning, and she didn't sense any anger from him, so she was patient and waited for him to answer. Appreciating his slower walk, she kept up with him easily.

"Oh, I didn't know."

How could she have known? He sounded like he was at peace with it, though. Even if she sensed the same kind of wonder she had about her own life, if her parents had lived, he even stated he wondered about something different, but still the same wonder. In that aspect, they were similar.

The moment was quiet, and he seemed softer than he usually was. When he gave her that faint smile, she returned it. Shaking her head at one of his comments, she waited to explain her movement. Or she was going to, but he surprised her by saying one didn't know how to find love right away. He equated it to her learning to survive on her own by failing and trying again.

Looking at him to try and decide if he was pulling her leg or not, she felt he was being serious and nodded. She would accept his words and advice, she liked that he would fight for her, and she truly smiled at him.

"Thank you."

Stopping when he did, she pulled back just slightly in surprise. He attempted to correct her when she said she hadn't done anything. He pointed out she was there and trying. Giving him a very confused look, she chose not to argue the point. Eventually, she would do something. It just wasn't right now.

Diarch Rellik

 

[Diarch Rellik]

He paused at the overlook shortly outside of the courtyards gates. The Crucible overlooked Ravelin and all outside of it and for good reason. Gesturing faintly toward the city below he stared out dreamily. Its lights shimmered like a constellation strewn across duracrete and steel.

"This peace we hold together. It isn't measured by territory or fleets. It's measured by joy. By dignity. By a child learning to read without fear. A vendor laughing at the market. You training in the courtyard. That's the dream, Xian. At least for myself. I have burned my decency for others futures."

Looking at her again, no grandeur in his eyes. "The most powerful thing any of us can offer is living happily."

Resting gently on a raised ledge of the outlook he continued to speak.

"I like to come here and overlook the city from time to time. I will use my illusions to make fireworks for the people below. For the children."

Raising one hand he gave a small showing of sparkles within his hands. A slight illustration of what he usually does on a grandeur scale.

"All those in the brotherhood; myself included, who partake in the darker side of the force know that we do it so that these people, our people. Can have a peace unlike anything the galaxy has experienced."

Stopping his little firework show he returned to look at Xian with a big smile.

"You brought me out of my hole and helped me enjoy a beautiful day watching your techniques. So thank you."

Xian Xiao

 

[Xian Xiao]

"I don't think you've burned your decency, Rellik. What do you want me to call you? Are you my master, a friend, an adoptive father, my leader?"

She was happy here. It had taken a little bit of time to feel comfortable coming outside and being seen. Now the teen was a lot more carefree and acting like a young woman her age should. When he mentioned that, she nodded and understood what he was saying.

He was one of the best people she had known in her short life. Unless he turned into some monster, she didn't think that would change. Looking at the hand he held out and the small display he gave her, she chuckled. Leaning with him against the ledge, Xian watched the city below them for a few moments and considered his words.

"Why use it?"

Not looking at him, she kept her eyes on the city. Still not meeting his gaze, she might be coming across as a sullen girl.

"You're welcome. Thank you for letting me be here."

Finally, she looked at him and gave him a small but genuine smile.

Diarch Rellik

 

[Diarch Rellik]

Rellik didn't respond right away. Instead, he simply leaned beside her, hands resting calmly on the ledge. He spoke softly, reflecting on everything they had shared tonight. A simple disruption during a water exercise had turned into a deep conversation between them. Hopefully deepening their bond.

"A good leader must be more than a voice of command. He must be a father when strength falters. A friend when silence becomes heavy. You can think of me as all three of those but if you wish to study under me, learn my skills with the blade and power in the force, than I will request you call me master."

He gave her a small head nod of respect.

When she asked why use it, his posture shifted slightly. Not in guilt. In care as if the question deserved the fullness of his thought.

"I was molded in it. At times I feel the urges that it imposes but I have learned to control them. To not fall to its addictive motions. Now it is a tool. A means to bring about peace. It is poetic in a way. I do not deem the murders life more important than those he might abuse. It is justice."

And with that, he stood beside her, quiet once more. Absorbing in the view of the city. He felt it would be soon that he should let her return to her own activity. Than again, if she was to accept him as her master, she would have reading to do.

Xian Xiao

 

[Xian Xiao]

There was a greater sense of acceptance in his tone than Xian expected to hear. She also picked up his honesty and felt his respect.

"I would like to train with you. To learn how to control the elements better will be something I do on my own, I think. Unless that's something I can teach you? The other skills, fighting, runes and anything else you want to impart I will gladly take lessons from you."

This decision, being made, gave Xian a little more confidence and sealed her reason to be here with Rellik and the Diarchy. Glancing at him as he moved slightly, her attention was still mainly on the city below them.

"Can I learn to control the urges, too? I don't think I've ever touched on my emotions while using the Force. Not entirely."

When she had been with the Jedi, she hadn't learned much from them, but that was fine with her. What she had learned, she put into her daily use, and still needed practice with the elements.

"Can you do what I do?"

That small smile remained, but there was also a hint of curiosity.

Diarch Rellik

 

[Diarch Rellik]

Rellik gave a small thoughtful nod.

"Then it's settled. I'll train you in what I know. The blade, the Force, the runes... all of it. I'd be honored to learn from you as well. There is no reason to turn away study."

He glanced down at the city again. At her next question, he turned back to her, more serious now.

"Yes. You can learn to control the urges, the endless gnawing at the back of your mind for power. Not by ignoring it but by knowing when to listen and when to let go. Just be warry, sometimes the flash of that beast eats at times you might not be ready for."

He gave a pause to ensure his words were heard, a warning but a chance for great understanding in the force.

When she asked if he could do what she did, he smiled.

"No. Not like you do. Yours is something special."

He looked at her happily. Glad that the two of them had met.

Xian Xiao